Glare shielding device

ABSTRACT

Glare shielding device as for night driving motorists in which two shields are supported by a foldable frame so as to be interposed in the wearer&#39;&#39;s normal line of vision forwardly of his eyes and offset from the pupillary axes thereof to impede light from the oncoming traffic directly striking the wearer&#39;&#39;s eyes while permitting him to have substantially full straight ahead and also lateral vision, the frame and shields being a unitary molded piece of translucent plastic material.

I United States Patent 1 ,6 Re Baratelli [451 Apr. 11, 1972 [54] GLARESHIELDING DEVICE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] Inv t pp ReBaratelli, Deerfield, 111. 807,027 1/1959 Great Britain ..2/14 Assignee:Ramostal. c p fi l France Filed: 1968 Primary Examiner-H. Hampton Hunter2 App], 7 0 32 AttorneyJohnson, Dienner, Emrich, Verbeck & Wagner [52]U.S. Cl. ..2/14.] [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. ..A61f 9/02 Glareshielding device as for night driving motorists in which [58] Field ofSearch ..2/14 J, 14 R, 14 C, 14 H, l2, two shields are supported by afoldable frame so as to be inter- 2/ 44 posed in the wearers normal lineof vision forwardly of his eyes and offset from the pupillary axesthereof to impede light [56] References Cmd from the oncoming trafficdirectly striking the wearers eyes UNITED STATES PATENTS whilepermitting to have substantially full straight ahead and also lateralvision, the frame and shields being a unitary 2,146,080 2/1939 Laneville..2/12 molded piece of translucent plastic material.

2,975,426 3/1961 Rabb 2,504,157

..2/l3 4/1950 Rosenheim ..35l/44 8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR1 1 I972 SHEET 1 BF 2 INVENTOR GIUSEPPE REES FIATELL' GLARE SHIELDINGDEVICE This invention relates to glare shielding devices andparticularly those of the type which are worn by motorists and/or theirpassengers when driving at night or when facing into the sun.

A first and principal object of the invention is to provide a glareshielding device which will provide a maximum amount of uninterruptedstraight ahead vision when worn, while also shielding or shading thewearers eyes against the glare from headlights of oncoming traffic whendriving at night or from sunlight when driving into the sun.

A second, equally important object of the invention is to provide such ashielding device which also may be mass produced at low unit cost andwill be of a durable rugged construction.

In the accomplishment of these objects, a shielding device according tothe invention comprises a brow bar which extends across the wearersforehead above his eyes and has means by which it is stably supported onthe wearers head and supports a pair of spaced apart light impedingmembers or shields forwardly of the wearer's eyes in a particularrelation such as to impede the passage of light from the oncomingtraffic to the wearers eyes without restricting his straight aheadvision and while also affording him lateral vision as well.

It is a feature of the invention that the light impeding members orshields may be supported on a wearer's head at a distance forwardly ofthe wearers eyes and in offset relation to both the wearers eyes so asto provide the desired shielding effect without the wearer sufferingdiscomfort or being made unduly aware of their presence.

In accordance with the invention said light impeding members or shieldsmay be either opaque or of translucent material. However, whentranslucent they provide the advantage of impeding or cutting down theintensity of light from the headlights of the oncoming traffic, butwithout the wearer losing his visibility thereof. This the inventor hasfound to be psychologically advantageous A further feature of theinvention is that the two shields or light impeding members are spacedapart in offset relation to the wearers straight ahead vision and alsoat a distance forwardly of his eyes such that they are an effectiveimpediment to the passage of light to the wearer's eyes from oncomingtraffic in the adjacent lane, whether the oncoming traffic is close toor at a distance from the motorist.

Still another feature of the invention is that the two shields aresodimensioned and shaped that while they are effective to impede passageof light from the headlights of oncoming traffic in the adjacent lane,whether up close to or at a distance down the road, at the same timethey provide only minimum encroachment on the motorists view of his ownlane. They also do not noticeably interrupt the motorists lateralvision.

Still another feature of the invention is that in its preferred form theshielding device comprises an articulate structure which may be moldedas a unitary piece of translucent plastic material having hinged partsso related that the device can be stably supported on the averagewearers head and will also hold the shields in a fixed predeterminedoffset relation forwardly of the wearers eyes so as to be effectiveagainst glare from oncoming traffic while permitting him a nearly fulluninterrupted angle of viewing.

Still another feature of the invention is that the construction andrelation of the parts comprising the shielding device are such that thedevice may be folded into a compact unit for packaging purposes and/orfor storage in a case or other container to be kept in the glovecompartment of the motorists vehicle.

Many other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be atonce apparent, or will become so upon consideration of the followingdescription of a preferred embodiment of the invention which will now bedescribed in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Referring therefore now to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a glare shielding deviceconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. I looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a partially fragmented side elevational view taken along lines33 looking in the direction of the arrows in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a fragmented view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a partially fragmented top plan view of the shielding deviceand illustrates the integral one piece construction thereof whichfacilitates its manufacture by conventional molding practices;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmented view which illustrates theinterrelation which exists between the temple brow bar and spacersupport for the light impeding members;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 88 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 9 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of the two shields andillustrates the geometrical relations which they bear to each other andto the nose piece.

Referring now more particularly to the several views wherein like partsare identified by like reference numerals, a preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated at 10 as comprising a unitary structure moldedin one piece of polypropylene or other opaque or translucent syntheticresin. However, it may also be constructed by other processes and ofother materials. For example, it may be made of paperboard or pressedpulp board which is stamped or cut substantially to the shapehereinafter more particularly described. It may also be fabricated oflight metal.

As illustrated by FIG. 5, a glare shielding device 10 according to theinvention comprises a brow bar portion 12 having a length sufficient toextend across the average wearers face above his eyes. This brow barportion 12 includes an integral nose piece 14 which is centered on itsunderside and by which the device may be rested on the wearer's face. Ateither end of the brow bar are integrally hinged temples 16. Both thebrow bar 12 and the two temples 16 are of thin sheet like constructionwhich allows limited longitudinal flexing while imparting shaperetention properties thereto in the transverse direction. The rearsurface of the brow bar is flat since this allows the brow bar to belocated close to the forehead and to have substantial wide engagementtherewith above the eyes and particularly through the nasal region. Theunderside of the brow bar on either side of the nose piece 14 may be cutout or recessed as at 18 to provide clearance areas for the lenses ofspectacle wearers. A most stable structure when worn is thus achievedand the engagement of the brow bar with the wearers forehead alsoprovides a reference point with which the light impeding shields 28 maybe related as hereinafter described. The inner surface of the templesmay also be flat; however, by molding with a raised section 12a and 17aalong the length of their outer surfaces, the strength and rigidity ofthe temples and brow bar can be increased.

Although the temples 16 could be hinged to the ends of the brow bar 12in conventional manner, it is preferred that the temples be moldedintegrally with the brow bar and narrow vertical sections 20 relieved atthe juncture of the temples 22 to the respective ends of the brow bar 12along which the temples are capable of hinging (Figure 8). Usefully theunderside of the integral nose piece 14 is given an arcuate shape sothat it will comfortably engage about the nose and a rib 22 (Figure 3)may be also formed on its rear side in the molding process to increasethe bearing surface contact of the nose piece with the wearer's nose.

At 24 is a rectangular-shaped element which serves to support thementioned pair of light impeding shields 28. As shown in FIG. 5 andconsidered also with FIG. 7, and FIG. I, spacer element 24 has a lengthcorresponding to that of the brow bar 12 and one edge thereof is hingedat selected intervals to the adjacent upper edge of said brow bar as byrelieved portions 26 (FIG. 7) which permit the spacer element 24 to befolded on said hinges 26 into a forwardly projecting right angularrelation to the plane of the brow bar as illustrated by FIGS. 2

and 3. The light impeding shields 28 are rigidly united to the forwardedge of the spacer element in the molding so that they maintain asubstantially right angular relation to the spacer element from whichthey depend. If desired, the central area of the rectangular spacerelement may be omitted as is illustrated at 30 in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that during molding, aprojection 32 is provided on the inner end of both temples which extendsforwardly of their associated hinge constituting relieved section 20. Asillustrated by FIGS. 4 and 6, said projection 32 terminates in aninwardly turned end portion 34 and, as shown in FIG. 5, a depending pin36 is located in each of the two adjacent corners of the rectangularspacer element 24 which align with the relieved sections on which thetemples hinge. With the spacer element 24 folded on its hinges 26 intothe right angular relationship illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3, saidprojections 32 of the temple catch about said depending pins 36 whichthereby constitute a biasing point or stop which limits the pivoting ofthe temple 16 about their hinge connection 20 and so influences theresilient engagement of the temples against the sides of the wearershead. Preferably the outer ends 38 of the two temples are inwardlydeflected and their inner surfaces provided with spaced ridges 40 and/ora small node or knob 42 at the outer end thereof to impart a non-slipcharacter to the head engagement of the temples with the wearers head.The supporting frame represented by the brow bar and temples is thussecurely and stably supported on the wearers head.

Catching of projections 32 about pins 36 also serves to locate the twolight impeding shields 28 in a desired spaced parallel relation with theplane of the brow bar. As shown in FIG. 3, projection 32 has a flatupper surface 42 on which the spacer element 24 rests to resist anydownward pivoting of the spacer element 24 about its hinge connections26. The grip of said catch members on pins 36 under the urging of theoutwardly deflected temples, when the device is worn, also resistsaccidental upward hinging of spacer element 24 on its hinge connections26.

Referring to FIG. 9 and also FIG. 3, the two light impeding shields 28are supported by spacer element 24 in front of the brow bar 12 andlaterally offset from recesses 18 thereof so that the shields are not inline with the motorists eyes to effect his straight ahead vision butonly inhibit light coming in at an angle, as from the headlights ofoncoming traffic in the adjacent lane. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, one ofthe two shields 28a is substantially centered between the two eyes andover the nose piece although slightly off center therefrom. The othershield 28b is positioned at the end of the brow bar, which is closer tothe lane containing the oncoming traffic. As shown in FIG. 9, centers xof the two shields 28 are spaced apart a distance corresponding to thespacing of centers Y in FIG. 1 which may be considered to be thepupillary distance of the device. Thus each shield will have the sameangular disposition to the line of vision of the wearers eyes with whichit is associated, assuming that the pupillary axes of the wearers eyesalso coincide with Y. The pupillary distance of individuals, however,vary considerably, for example between a maximum of 3.2 inches and aminimum of 2.2 inches. However, by taking into consideration the otherdimensions of the shields 28, it is possible to select acenter-to-center spacing for the two shields which will accommodate mostindividuals within the above mentioned range of pupillary distances toprovide the desired impeding of glare from the headlights of oncomingtraffic. Where dimensions a and b in FIG. 9 which represent the maximumwidth and height of the two light impeding shields 28 approximate 0.95inches and the spacing of the shields from the brow bar represented by fis 1.8 inches, then it has been found convenient to space the shields sothat their center-to-center spacing represented by p is about 2.55inches.

It will be appreciated that distance a is a variable and will depend onthe height at which the top edge of the brow bar is to be located. It isimportant that said distance a suffice to locate the bottom edge 46 ofthe shields substantially at or only slightly below the normal orhorizontal line of vision of the wearer. Thus if the two Ys in FIG. 1are considered to indicate the pupillary axes of the wearers eyes, thenthe bottom edge of the two shields 28 should either coincide with, butpreferably extend slightly below, a plane including said pupillary axesY. I

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the opposed sides 44 of the two shields 28 arein converging relation and the bottom edge 46 of the shields is given arounded shape corresponding to onehalf of a circle having a radius 0centered about x. Preferably sides 44 of the two shields are so slopedas to merge into the rounded bottom edge of the shield substantially attheir horizontal diametric chord represented at k in said FIG. 9.'Actually only a small portion of the two shields immediately adjacentthe bottom edge thereof is utilized to impede the passage of light fromthe headlights of the oncoming traffic directly into the wearers eyes.It is important therefore that .the bottom edges of the shields beprecisely located. By selecting a converging shape for the two sides ofthe shields it is possible to provide a wide juncture with the spacerelement 24 to maintain this alignment and precise location. Theconverging of the two sides of the shield does not disturb the locationof the bottom edge of the shields but does permit the angle of thewearers straight-ahead vision of his two eyes to be increased so thatthe shields do not materially encroach upon or interfere with thewearers vision of the lane in which he himself is driving. Theconverging shape of the two shields and their forward spacing of thebrow bar thus permits both eyes of the wearer to have a substantiallyfull angular range of vision which is substantially uninterrupted exceptfor that small area adjacent the center of the bottom edge of the twoshields and which is precisely located to impede the passage of lightfrom the headlights of the oncoming traffic. The wider upper portion ofthe shields 28 also shades the eyes against glare from overhead streetlights and the like.

It has been the inventors experience that distance f is critical. Ifshields 28 are located too close to the wearers eyes they becomedisconcerting as well as seriously hampering his lateral vision and tendto introduce headaches or nausea to the wearer. On the other hand if theshields are placed too far from the wearers eyes, the device becomescumbersome and uncomfortable when worn. A spacing of the shields ofabout 1.8 inches forwardly of the brow bar appears to be a good one. Atthis spacing of the shields, if the bottom edge of theshields is roundedon a radius c of about 0.43 inches and if shield 28a is also located sothat it is off center of the brow bar about 0.15 inches as indicated ate, the inventor finds that there is sufficient area adjacent the bottomof the two shields to impede the passage of light to the wearers eyeswhether the oncoming traffic in an adjacent lane is a mile or more awayor is only a few feet away. Furthermore, the wearer retainsuninterrupted straight ahead vision of his own lane as well as retainingmost of his lateral vision and this appears to be true whether thewearer has a pupillary distance of exactly 2.55 inches or one that ismore closer to the minimum or maximum of the above recited range.

As already mentioned, the device is molded of either opaque ortranslucent material. Material of a translucent nature, however, is tobe preferred since if shields 28 are translucent they are able todiffuse light from the headlights of the oncoming traffic. This has theadvantage that the viewer does not lose sight of the approachingvehicle, but is able to follow its course. The surfaces of the structuremay be either polished or unpolished. Advantageously, however, the frontsurface of the brow bar and nose piece, as well as the under surface ofthe spacer 26 should be given a matte finish which will discourage lightreflections into the wearers eyes. On the other hand, the surfaces ofthe two shields 28 are preferably polished since the shields willtherefore be able to impede light by reflection as well as by colorabsorption or filtering and through diffusion by reason of theirtranslucent character.

It will be understood that the devices are conventionally worn in themanner of spectacle frames and that the wearer is able to sit in hisnormally erect position with his chin up and his eyes focused on hislane ahead. He, however, retains substantially his full range of vision,substantially uninterrupted. Under some circumstances, as when drivinginto the sun, the wearer may find it advantageous to slightly cock hishead a degree or two away from the sun or the adjacent lane' containingthe approaching traffic. However, he can conveniently do this becausethe shields occupy such a small fraction of his angle of vision and evenin this instance he will have substantially a full range of straightahead vision. When the device is molded of polypropylene it is extremelylight weight and by reason of its construction it firmly and stably fitson the average wearers head. Accordingly after even a short interval ofwear the viewer becomes accustomed thereto and is able to enjoy impededfull vision of the road ahead and with a minimum of tilting oraccommodation to occlude the headlights of the oncoming traffic, butwhich he is able to do naturally and more or less unconsciously.

As thus described it will be apparent that all the recited objects,advantages and features of the invention have been demonstrated asobtainable in a highly practical manner.

Therefore having described my invention, I claim:

1. A glare shielding device comprising a brow bar to extend across thewearers forehead above his eyes having an intermediately located nosebearing portion and temples hingedly connected to the opposite ends ofsaid brow bar, a forwardly disposed spacer member hinged to said browbar, the spacer member having a pair of depending pin-like projectionsadjacent the two ends of the brow bar, and the temples having catchmeans for supporting the spacer member in a fixed forwardly projectingangular relation to the brow bar, said catch means comprising portionsof the temples which project forwardly of the temple hinge connectionsto the end of the brow bar and releasably engage about said pin-likeprojections so as to resist further hinging of the spacer memberrelative to the brow bar and to increase the resilient bearingengagement of the temples with the wearers head, and a pair of dependinglight impeding members secured to said forwardly projecting spacermember, one of said light impeding members being thereby locatedforwardly of the nose bearing portion and the other light impedingmember forwardly of one end of the brow bar.

2. A glare shielding device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the brow barhas recessed portions in its lower edge which provide clearance for thewearer's spectacle frames.

3. A glare shielding device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a one pieceintegrally united member of shape-retaining material, the forwardlyprojecting spacer member and the temples being hinged to the brow bar byrelatively thin narrow flexible sections along which the spacer memberand temples readily fold relative to the brow bar, the light impedingmembers being integrally united to the spacer member at right anglesthereto.

4. A glare shielding device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the device,including the light impeding members, is of translucent plasticmaterial.

5. A glare shielding device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the brow barand spacer member have dull finish surfaces.

6. A glare shielding device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dependinglight impeding members each have a rounded bottom edge and downwardlyconverging side edges.

7. A glare shielding device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lightimpeding members have a center to center spacing corresponding to thepupillary distance of the average wearer and the bottom edge of saidlight impeding members is at or immediately below a plane including thewearers pupillary axes when the device is properly worn.

8. A glare shielding device as claimed in claim 1 wherein thecenter-to-center spacing of the light impeding members is about 2.55inches, the rounded bottom edge of the members is on a radius of about9.43 inches, the width of the light impeding members at their connectionto the spacer member 15 greater than twice the radius of said roundededge, the light impeding members are spaced about 1.8 inches forwardlyof the brow bar, and the center of the first one of said light impedingmembers is about 0.15 inches offset from the center line of the brow barand nose bearing portion.

1. A glare shielding device comprising a brow bar to extend across thewearer''s forehead above his eyes having an intermediately located nosebearing portion and temples hingedly connected to the opposite ends ofsaid brow bar, a forwardly disposed spacer member hinged to said browbar, the spacer member having a pair of depending pin-like projectionsadjacent the two ends of the brow bar, and the temples having catchmeans for supporting the spacer member in a fixed forwardly projectingangular relation to the brow bar, said catch means comprising portionsof the temples which project forwardly of the temple hinge connectionsto the end of the brow bar and releasably engage about said pin-likeprojections so as to resist further hinging of the spacer memberrelative to the brow bar and to increase the resilient bearingengagement of the temples with the wearer''s head, and a pair ofdepending light impeding members secured to said forwardly projectingspacer member, one of said light impeding members being thereby locatedforwardly of the nose bearing portion and the other light impedingmember forwardly of one end of the brow bar.
 2. A glare shielding deviceas claimed in claim 1 wherein the brow bar has recessed portions in itslower edge which provide clearance for the wearer''s spectacle frames.3. A glare shielding device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a one pieceintegrally united member of shape-retaining material, the forwardlyprojecting spacer member and the temples being hinged to the brow bar byrelatively thin narrow flexible sections along which the spacer memberand temples readily fold relative to the brow bar, the light impedingmembers being integrally united to the spacer member at right anglesthereto.
 4. A glare shielding device as claimed in claim 3 wherein thedevice, including the light impeding members, is of translucent plasticmaterial.
 5. A glare shielding device as claimed in claim 4 wherein thebrow bar and spacer member have dull finish surfaces.
 6. A glareshielding device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the depending lightimpeding members each have a rounded bottom edge and downwardlyconverging side edges.
 7. A glare shielding device as claimed in claim 1wherein the light impeding members have a center to center spacingcorresponding to the pupillary distance of the average wearer and thebottom edge of said light impeding members is at or immediately below aplane including the wearer''s pupillary axes when the device is properlyworn.
 8. A glare shielding device as claimed in claim 1 wherein thecenter-to-center spacing of the light impeding members is about 2.55inches, the rounded bottom edge of the members is on a radius of about0.43 inches, the width of the light impeding members at their connectionto the spacer member is greater than twice the radius of said roundededge, the light impeding members are spaced about 1.8 inches forwardlyof the brow bar, and the center of the first one of said light impedingmembers is about 0.15 inches offset from the center line of the brow barand nose bearing portion.